Star defenceman hires new agent with deep ties to Oilers amid trade rumours
Star defenceman Noah Dobson has reportedly been placed on the trade block, and now he's fired his agent to be replaced with Judd Moldaver, a representative with deep ties to the Oilers.
The Oilers are in the trade market for a defenceman this season, and have been lightly connected to Dobson, but the trade price to acquire him may be too steep for Edmonton.
Islander star defenceman hires Judd Moldaver as new representation
Noah Dobson has hired Judd Moldaver, who works as part of the Wasserman Hockey agency - a group that Oilers President Jeff Jackson used to lead.
Moldaver now represents two players on the Edmonton Oilers, Connor McDavid and Connor Brown. When Jeff Jackson became President of the Oilers, he actually handed over McDavid's representation to Moldaver.
Other Wasserman group agents represent other Oilers too, including defenceman Evan Bouchard. When speaking on the upcoming Bouchard contract, Jeff Jackson has hinted before that his positive relationship with agents can help in contract talks - and that definitely applies to Moldaver too.
- Jeff Jackson
NHL insider Jeff Marek noted the agent change as significant, saying it's usually sign of the player demanding a change.
Now, this isn't to say that because Dobson has hired Judd Moldaver, he's going to become an Edmonton Oiler. Moldaver represents other NHLers too. However, the Oilers still have some inside track if they were to open contract discussions with Dobson because of this move.
Could the Edmonton Oilers target Noah Dobson in trade?
Noah Dobson may be the most elite defenceman on the trade block this season, and he's in a very similar position to Evan Bouchard. A 25 year old right shot top-pairing defenceman, Dobson makes only $4M this season and will be an RFA upon expiry. Next season, he'll be a UFA.
Any team trading for Dobson would want an assurance that he could be signed beyond next season, and be a fixture on their blueline for years to come.
With the salary cap increasing and money coming off the books this offseason, it wouldn't be impossible for the Oilers to sign him. The addition of Klingberg makes the right side crowded, but Dobson is elite enough to disregard any issues of fit this year.
The Oilers would have to pay a mammoth of a return in order to acquire Dobson, including top draft picks and top prospects, or perhaps NHL ready talent if the Islanders look to retool.
It would be an incredibly complex deal, and likely too much for the Oilers - but they still have an inside track with Moldaver they can investigate.
